Construction of molecular models



1943- H. s. TAYLOR CONSTRUCTION OF MOLECULAR'MODELS Filed June 26, 1941Patented Jan. 12, 1943 CONSTRUCTION OF MOLECULAR MODELS Hugh S. Taylor,Princeton, N. 1., assignor to Research Corporation, New York, N. Y., acorporation of New York Application June 28, 1941, Serial No. 399,955

' Claims.

This invention relates to the construction of models-e. g., models ofmolecules-composed of a plurality of unit pieces, e. g.. atomic units,"detachably secured together in assemblages of desired configurations,and is particularly concerned with the provision of improved means forattaching the unit pieces one to another in such a way as to give astronger and more positive mode of attachment while at the same timesecuring a greater flexibility of motion in such attachments. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to the production of molecularmodels by the suitable attachment, one to another, of pluralities ofmodels of atomic units whereby to produce assemblages reproducing modelmolecular configurations, and having, by reason of the method oiattachment of the atom models herewith provided, a greater manipulativestability, together with a flexibility of motion more closely corresponding to the behavior of the structures modelled, than have themolecular models heretofore known and used. The invention is peculiarlyapplicable to the construction of molecular models for use in the studyof chemistry and physics; however, it is not limited thereto but isapplicable also to any other models or toys where the samecharacteristics of stability and flexibility are desirable.

Atom models with which model molecules having the closest structuralresemblances to actual molecules can be built have already been proposed. Such models have found considerable scientific application andpossess considerable educational and instructional value. As constructedhitherto, the units are assembled and held together by the use of stoutwire connectors or, as in a more recent improved form, by the use ofdouble-tapered pegs fitting into depressions formed therefor in the atommodels. The atom models in this latter case are provided with bonds(this expression being here used not only in the scientific but also inthe mechanical sense) which may be single, double or triple, formedbyinserting the pegs (one, two or more) in appropriate holes (one, twoor more in number) in the appropriate faces of the atom models. In thecase of the doubly and triply bonded atoms this mode of tapered-pegconnection has been found to be more satisfactory than the singletapered peg connection, since, in the nature of things, the

bonds so formed are rigid and motion at such tapered peg in the holes inthe centers of opposed faces of two atoms to be attached. Some rota-=tion of the two atoms around the tapered peg in the single bondconnection-as is necessary for the close imitation of actual moleculesby the models-isthus possible. It has been found, however, in actualpractice, that while freedom of rotation about the single peg is thuspossible, the atomic parts are not positively secured together (so longas there is substantialfreedom in the lit of the peg in the holes), andhence that the stability of the model under manipulation is of a loworder. Especially in th case of structures or assemblages possessing alarge number of singly bonded constituent model atomic units there is agreat tendency for the completed models to fall apart into fragmentswhen manipulation (by rotation of the constituent parts, one withrespect to another) of the models is attempted. The present inventionprovides a simple and ready method of overcoming this disadvantage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide atomic units whichmay be connected together by single bonds to produce molecular modelassemblages wherein the attachments are positive (in the sense that theparts are locked together against accidental rupture of the models)while at the same time are permissive of full and free rotation betweensingly bonded atoms.

Another object of the invention is the provision of model atomic unitswhich are susceptible of ready separation from each other but which,while attached together in molecular assemblages capable of fullrotation at all single bonds, are positively locked against accidentaldisruption of the molecules.

According to the present invention the above, and other, inventiveobjects are attained by providing each model atomic unit, having atleast one plane face, with an element of the well-known two-element snapfastener of the rigid head-resilient socket type at or in said planeface, which element shall function, either (1) by direct cooperationwith the other element of the snap fastener at or in a plane face of asecond model atomic unit or (2) through a connecting member includingthe other element of the snap fastener, detachably to secure togethertwo such model atomic units at said plane faces thereof. Thus, in oneembodiment a of the invention, the resilient socket element of atwo-element snap-fastenerof the rigid head-resilient sockettype may bepermanently secured within a depression in a plane \face of one modelatomic unit and the rigid head element of such fastener combinationpermanently secured at a plane face of another model atomic unit, thedepth of the depression in which the socket element is secured beingsuch that when the two elements of the snap fastener are securedtogether the two model atomic units are brought substantially intoface-to-face contact. Or, in another embodiment b of the invention, themodel atomic units may be provided with the aforesaid resilient socketelements (permanently secured within depressions in the plane faces ofsuch units), and there may be employed as connecting membersdouble-studded elements, each of which latter consists either (1) of tworigid head elements (of the snap fastener) permanently secured to eachother back-to-back or (2) of a functional equivalent of such acombination. Embodiment b is preferred for-among others-the reason thatit does not restrict the user in the choice of model atomic units (froma collection, or arbitrary number, thereof) for construction of thedesired model, whereas in embodiment a the slight economy in number ofsnap fasteners employed per each pair of model atomic units is usuallymore than offset by the cost of the larger number of the units madenecessary by the diversity of securing means.

The specific mode of securing the snap fastener element to, or in, theplane face of the model atomic unit is a matter of choice and is notcritical within the scope of the invention. Where the model atomic unitper se is formed from a plastic material (e. g., a thermo-setting, orthermo-plastic, resin composition) the socket element conveniently maybe embedded in the unit during the course of formation of the latter.Where the unit is formed from wood, a depression the size of the socketelement may be bored in the plane face of the unit and the socketelement driven into the depression; or, the socket element may be gluedor nailed or otherwise permanently attached within the depression.

The double-studded connecting member may be produced by soldering (orwelding or brazing or otherwise permanently attaching) two preformedrigid head elements back-to-back; or, it may be produced directly bysuitable modification of the existing method of manufacture of suchrigid head element.

The securing means hereinbefore described provides a most satisfactorysingle bond between unit atomic models. Molecular models, containingscores or hundreds of model atomic units, of great configurationalcomplexity thereby can readily be constructed, which complicatedmolecular models have a high degree of stability against accidentalbreakdown during manipulation and at the same time permit of that freeand full rotation of the parts thereof about the single bonds whichrepresents a primary desir-- able characteristic of such models.

As a typical example of the molecular model which can advantageously beconstructed with the snap fastener binding of the individual atom units,a polypeptide chain of the general structural formula V 11 o I: H B

may be cited. This is a, two-dimensional representation of athree-dimensional unit made up from model atoms now commerciallyavailable but modified in accordance with the present inaeoaeoa ventionin such a way that each single bond, indicated by a single line in thetwo-dimensional formula, is constructed from portions of the snapfasteners as already outlined above. Models so constructed cansuccessfully be e p y to study the foldings which are possible inflexible chains of atoms of this type. As typical of other molecularstructures that have been constructed from model atomic units providedwith the above-described securing means, large molecular modelsrepresentative of the vitamins, hormones, sterols, medicinals, theplastics, synthetic rubbers, carbohydrates and starches, as well assmaller and simpler molecular assemblages, may be cited. These dependfor their success on the effectiveness of the new snap fastener linkagesserving as single bonds between model atomic units. The scientific andeducational advantages of the resulting structures are, therefore,evident, as is their value as educational toys for children of schoolage.

For younger children structures from units of various geometric, orgrotesque, or other arbitrary, shapes similarly joined by snap fastenerscan readily be conceived from the foregoing description.

The invention will now be described in greater detail and with referenceto the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 illustrates an assemblageof model atomic units, representative of the model of acetamide,embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an expanded plan and elevational view of mating model atomicunits;

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of a model atomic unit showing adouble-studded connector detachably secured to a model atomic unit;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of two model atomic units securedtogether by the preferred connecting means of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a modification of the showing in Fig. 4 and illustrates analternative connecting means within the invention.

In Fig. 1, the chemical identities of the various atoms" constitutingthe acetamide molecule" are represented by appropriate shading, thecarbon atoms I, 5 being shown as black, the nitrogen atom 1 as white,the oxygen atom 6 as blue and the hydrogen atoms 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9 asorange. It will, of course, be understood that the various elements maybe represented in any other arbitrary manner (e. g., as by imprintingthe chemical symbols C, N, O and H over the curved surfaces of therespective model atomic units).

If desired, double bonds between adjacent atoms may be formed byproviding a pair of connecting means between such atoms: in this case.rotation between atoms would be prevented. For instance, in theassemblage of Fig. 1, the oxygen atom may be attached to the adjacentcarbon atom by a pair of double-tapered pegs as hereinbefore described.

In the assemblage illustrated in Fig. 1, each of the hydrogen atoms 2,3, 4, 8 and 9 has a single plane face and a single connection; thecarbon atom 4 has four plane faces and four connections; the carbon atom5 has three plane faces for two single bonds and one double bond; theoxygen atom has one plane face for one double bond; and the nitrogenatom I has three plane faces for three single bonds.

The possibility of rotation between various parts of the model (e. g.,between the two carbon atoms; between the amino group and the adjacentcarbon atom; etc.) can be demonstrated without danger of disruption ofthe molecule; moreover, the molecule is susceptible of readymetamorphosis by the substitution of other parts for parts present inthe acetamide molecule. Thus, the methyl group i, 2, 3, 4 may be snappedoil of the carbon atom 5 and be replaced by another appropriate atom orby a sub-assembly of joined atoms representative of, say, an ethyl orpropyl or other appropriate monovalent group. Similarly, the amino groupi, 8, 9 may be snapped oif of the carbon atom 5 and be replaced byanother appropriate monovalent group or by an appropriate single atom.

Figs." 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the preferred combination of model atomicunits and connecting means. Fig. 2 shows two joined atomic units it andii, a third atomic unit i2 and a connector it for joining atomic unit l2to atomic unit I 0. In the plane faces It, lb of units I t and i2 aredepressions l6, ii in which are permanently secured socket elements I8,IQ of the known snap tive locking of a double, or triple, bond againstaccidental disruption of the "molecule."

I claim:

1. A set of model atomic units adapted for use in building athree-dimensional model ofa molecule, comprising a plurality of rigidmembers each representative of an atomic unit each of which rigidmembers carries at least one element of a two-element snap fastener ofthe headand-socket type rigidly and permanently secured to said memberand adapted to interlock with a mating fastener member carried byanother like rigid member, and at least one rigid member representativeof an atomic unit having rigidly and permanently secured thereto aplurality of such fastening elements in spaced relation to permitattachment thereto of a plurality of similar or dissimilar rigidmembers, whereby there may be formed a molecular model permittingfastener of the head-and-socket type. Connecsaid connector in socket I9(or 18), thereby providing a fully rotatable combination in which theparts are locked together against accidental disruption while enjoying adesirable flexibility and being readily separable at the will of thedemonstrator. According to Fig. 3, the head 2| of connector I3 is shownengaged in socket 19 of atomic unit l2, and in Fig. 4 the atomic unitsl0 and i2 are shown joined together by engagement of heads 20, 2! ofconnector It in the sockets l8 and I9 permanently secured in therespective atomic units. i

According to the alternative embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, atomicunit 22 carries, permanently secured thereon. the male half 23 of a snapfastener of the head-and-socket type whose head is engageable in socket18 of atomic unit ill for joining atomic unit 22 to the latter by areadily severable single bond permitting rotation between the unitswhile locking them together against accidental disruption of thecombination.

While in the foregoing specific description it has been stated that thebonds preferably are carried at substantially plane faces of the modelatomic units, it is within the scope of the invention to secure thefastening elements at any desired points on surfaces of the atomicunits.

- Moreover, it is to be understood that while the snap-fastenerpreferably is of the rigidhead-resilient socket type it is within thescope of the invention to employ for this purpose any of the existingtypes of head-and-socket snap fasten-'- headed connector it is withinthe scope of the in- This arrangement ensures the posi-' fullrotationabout single bonds between adjacent rigid members 'while maintainingsaid members securely fastened against accidental separation and withsurfaces of adjacent rigid members in contact with each other.

2. A set of model atomic units adapted for use in building athree-dimensional model of a molecule, comprising a plurality of rigidmembers each representative of an atomic unit of generally sphericalshape each of which rigid members carries at least one element of atwo-element snap fastener of the head-and-socket type rigidly andpermanently'secured to said member and adated to interlock with a matingfastener member carried by another like rigid member, and a plurality ofrigid members representing plural-valenced atoms, each such rigid memberrepresentative of a plural-valenced atomic unit having rigidly andpermanently secured thereto a plurality of such fastening elements inspaced relation to permit attachmentthereto of a plurality of similar ordissimilar rigid members, whereby there may be formed a molecular modelpermitting full rotation about single bonds between adjacent rigidmembers while maintaining said members securely fastened againstaccidental separation and with surfaces ofadjacent rigid members incontact with each other.

3. A model atomic unit adapted to be used, with other generally similarunits, in building a three-dimensional model of a molecule, said modelatomic unit consisting of a rigid member of generally spherical shapecarrying, rigidly and permanently'secured to a surface thereof, anelement of a two-element snap fastener, of the head-and-socket type,adapted to interlock with a mating fastener member carried by anothermodel atomic unit to hold adjacent surfaces of the model atomic units incontact with each other and to provide a stable yet flexible and readilyseverable connection therebetween.

4. A model atomic unit adapted to be used. with other generally similarunits, in building a three-dimensional model of a molecule, said modelatomic unit consisting of a rigid member of generally spherical shapeand having at least one substantially plane surface thereon, and asocket element of a two-element snap fastener, of the head-and-sockettype, rigidly and permanently secured to said rigid member at asubstantially plane surface thereof,- said fastener element beingadapted to interlock with a mating fastener element carried by anothermodel atomic unit at a substantially plane surface of the latter toprovide a stable yet flexible and stantially plane surface thereoi, anda connector 7 member having oppositely disposed snap fastener headseither 01' which heads is adapted to engage and interlock with saidsocket element and the other of which heads is adapted to engage andinterlock with a second socket element carried by a second such modelatomic unit whereby a substantial area of contact between adjacent planesurfaces of the model is provided.

HUGH S. TAYLOR.

